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Leicester city
Leicester City has added to its midfield ranks after a deal was agreed with Tottenham Hotspur for the transfer of Oliver Skipp for an undisclosed fee, subject to Premier League approval.
The 23-year-old England youth international joins on a five-year contract, having been with Spurs since the age of five and progressing through the Academy ranks to eventually make 106 appearances.
He now links up with his Leicester City team-mates for the new Premier League campaign and will be in attendance as they take on his former side at King Power Stadium on Monday night.
Speaking to LCFC.com, Skipp said: “I’m really excited to sign. I’ve got the feeling that it’s a good group of people and a good group of players. I’m sure that we’ve got a squad capable of challenging in every game. You look around the squad and there’s lots of exciting players who have played in the Premier League and I’m really excited to see what this group can achieve.
“I had conversations with the people here and they gave me a feeling of warmth and that they were excited to have me on board. As a player, when you feel that excitement, that’s something you can use to develop your game. The staff here know me as well – Steve [Cooper], I have worked with at England so there’s definitely a good relationship there and I’m keen to push on and show what I can do.”
The 23-year-old comes to Leicester City on a permanent deal.
Born in Welwyn Garden City, the defensive midfielder quickly stood out at club and international level as a youngster. Skipp starred for Tottenham’s academy sides in domestic and European competitions, while current Leicester City manager Steve Cooper managed him for England Under-17s and Under-18s.
The youngster’s senior debut would come in October 2018, just a month after his 18th birthday, as a late substitute in a 3-1 Carabao Cup win away at West Ham United. That would be the first of 12 senior appearances for the youngster in his breakthrough season.
After gaining further Premier League and Champions League experience in the 2019/20 season, Skipp would join Championship side Norwich City on loan for the 2020/21 campaign. He started 44 of 46 league fixtures for the Canaries and was a central figure as they won promotion to the Premier League as Champions – earning him a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Year.
Skipp’s importance to Spurs continued to grow, with 83 appearances over the following three campaigns, while also making an appearance in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Final in 2023 as England overcame Spain to win the competition.
He will be available to make his Leicester City debut on Saturday 24 August as the Foxes travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham (3pm BST kick-off).
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